I Thess. 5:11  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up; just as in fact you are doing”

LUTHERAN WOMEN IN MISSION

Lutheran Women in Mission is the official women’s organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Lutheran Women in Mission focuses on affirming each woman in her relationship with Christ to enable her to be in ministry among the people of the world.  Encourages and equips women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to financially support global mission.  Here at St. James the L.W.M.L. collects “mite” money for mission projects, meets 10-12 times per year for Bible study and devotion, sponsors the 8^th grade Confirmation prayer pal program and ELF (Encouraging Lutheran Friends).

Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML)

Mission Projects-

Mite boxes are available for congregation members to fill and donate.  Mite moneys are collected at the Resource Center or brought to meetings and sent to the Indiana District to do Mission work, both locally and nationally.  All moneys received are sent to do Mission work.

Resource Center-

Are you looking for a small gift for someone or would like a great book to boost your faith?  The Resource Center is stocked full of Christian books, cards and various items.  You can find these things located in the Cafeteria and are available for you to view on Sunday mornings.  Proceeds benefit Women’s Ministry.

ELF (Encouraging Lutheran Friends)-

The goal of this group is to help those who are in need.  When catastrophic illnesses occur, this group will search out a variety of ways to help the family through cards, visitation, encouraging words, meals, financial support (through fundraising), transportation costs, telephone gifts cards or other methods deemed appropriate.  God calls us to be His hands and feet and to do these things for His glory.  Matthew 35:35-36,40 “For I was hungry and you game me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Confirmand Prayer Partner & Dinner-

Various women volunteer to be a Prayer Partner for the 8^th Grade Confirmation Class.  Each Prayer Partner prays for her confirmation student privately throughout the year.  Encouragement is also given through cards and notes sent at various times during the year.  The week following Confirmation, a Confirmand Dinner is held to provide fellowship for the families of the Confirmands.  Faculty and staff are invited as guests and Prayer Partners are revealed during this time..

LADIES SOCIETY)

The object of this society shall be in accord with Scripture and in harmony with the work of the congregation and its pastors; to win and hold souls for Christ, the Master; and by support of such efforts to aid the home church and the church abroad; to cultivate the spirit of sisterly good cheer and Christian fellowship.  All women are welcome to attend at 1:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of September through December and March through May, in the Fellowship Hall.  Each meeting has a special interest program, fellowship and refreshments. 

Funeral Dinners-

Sponsored by Ladies Society to provide a light meal to family and friends after the funeral service.  All ladies of the congregation are welcome to assist at their convenience.  Ladies Society has two rotating committees who prepare and serve the dinners.  Monetary donations to cover costs are always welcome and appreciated.

FUNDRAISING

The Women's Ministry of St. James Lutheran Church seeks to support and encourage the women of the church in all aspects of their daily lives.  In order to more effectively perform this ministry, several fundraising events are supported each year.  Moneys raised through these projects are used to support and maintain the Women's Ministry program as well as to support additional programs in the church.

Fall Bazaar-

The Fall Bazaar traditionally has been held on the first Thursday in November.  A lunch and dinner have been served.  In recent years the crafts have been provided by church and school organizations, as well as by outside vendors from the church and the community.  These vendors have paid a small amount for the privilege of having a booth at the bazaar.  The purpose of the bazaar is to raise funds for programs, but more importantly to provide an opportunity for fellowship and communication between the members of the church and also between the members of the church and the community.

Book Fair-

     Concordia Publishing House Spring Book Fair.

This is a great opportunity to purchase quality Christian reading material for you and your family.  Books vary in price and meet the needs of all ages.

     Proceeds will benefit Women’s Ministry.

SERVICE

Romans 12:6-21 speaks about the gifts God has given us, and how we are to use those gifts in service to our Lord.  We are to serve one another.  Women’s Ministry gives women a variety of opportunities to serve.  Whether it is through serving on a board, committee, leadership position, or in helping with another’s needs by praying, giving, leading, listening, and supporting each other.  At St. James, the Women’s Ministry seeks to serve and support others according to God’s will.

Reception Committee-

Provides catering for weddings, special parties or anniversaries.  The income is used to purchase new equipment for the church and also goes toward missions. 

Altar Guild-

Takes care of the altar, communion setup and cleanup.  They decorate the church at Christmas and other church holidays and weddings.  Members serve on a committee of 4-6 people for one month of the calendar year. 

Helping Hands-

This group requires an approximate 4-hour commitment, once a month.  Helping Hands is a group of women willing to serve one morning, or one afternoon a month (as needed) to help an individual, or family in a crisis situation.  Since you may be called on “as needed”, volunteers need the commitment of being available on an assigned morning/afternoon each month in case she is called on.    

SUPPORT GROUPS

Many times as Christian people, we feel a deep need to find comfort or provide a need to others through our Christian community.  The following support groups are created not from a professional or medical source, but merely as a network of loving Christian friends and family willing to listen and help with the abilities that God has given.

Weight Management-

For all women who are interested in learning, developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, this support group is designed to provide any or more of the following:

Nutrition Classes, Exercise Classes, Accountability Groups, and so on. 

Illness Support-

On this side of heaven, sin leaves us prone to illness and heartache.  This support group is designed to develop and provide any or more of the following:

Cancer Support, Alcoholism, Diabetes, Elderly Care, Mourning, Family Support, and so on.

Be There-

Have you ever longed for a comforting word from a fellow Christian during a difficult time in your life?  Can you reflect on any difficult road you have traveled and share the insight you have gained from such experiences?  Would you consider sharing with a fellow sister in Christ how God’s steadfast love helped you through that crisis?  If so, would you prayerfully consider becoming a volunteer for a new Women’s Ministry program called BE THERE.  Could you BE THERE to give those needed words to someone who is dealing with one of the struggles listed below?

Widowed, Marital Problems, Health Concerns, Alcohol/Drug abuse, Homosexuality, Kids with Learning Disabilities, Single/Step Parenting, Death of a Loved one, Pornography/Internet abuse, Abortion, Problem Pregnancy, Sandwich Generation, Blended Family, Child Abuse, Gambling, Miscarriage, Job Loss/Transitions, Anger, Other ________________.

Caring Hearts-

The purpose of this group is to make contact with the shut-ins of our congregation.  They meet monthly to coordinate names.  Each member of the group will visit or contact by note or phone 3-4 shut-ins per month.  This group meets the 3^rd Friday of every month at 10:00 am in the conference room. 

Visitation-

There are several instances in life when a person would need a visit from someone who cares.  This support group is designed to visit people during any or more of these circumstances:

Hospitalization, Shut-In, New Member, etc.

Prayer Chain-

The pastor or members of the Prayer Chain are contacted when a prayer request is submitted.  Prayers are then said for those with special needs.  This group meets four times a year in the Conference Room.

ENRICHMENT

All Christians desire to grow spiritually, and Women's Ministry seeks to provide opportunities for Christian women to grow in faith and to develop a closer walk with their Lord and Savior.  As Christian women, we also long for fellowship with other Christian women, and seek to develop our gifts and talents in order to use them to God's glory.  Therefore, Women's Ministry also provides programs that enable the women of the church to grow in Christian relationships and encourage others as we learn more about our abilities and ourselves.

Health-

Our body is God's temple, and He commands us to treat it as such.  In accord with this command, Women's Ministry seeks to find opportunities to help women care for their health and the health of others.  Some programs have been: Women’s Health Forum, blood drives, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and flu vaccinations.  Many other opportunities are available and could be developed in the future.

Crafts-

In order to provide fellowship for the women of St. James and also to help the women of the church develop and practice new skills and talents, Women's Ministry has provided some of the following craft programs:  Sweatshirt decorating, Christmas crafts, basket making, and pysanka egg decorating.  Many other opportunities could be developed, depending on the interests and skills of the women of the church.  Some ideas are stamping and scrap booking workshops, tole painting, ceramics, and many others.

Skill Groups-

For those women who would like a more continuous opportunity to hone in on a particular crafting skill, various skill groups can be created and maintained to provide regular opportunities (once a month, twice a month, etc.) for women to gather and create.

Seminars-

This is usually scheduled every other year with a variety of topics of interest to women being covered during the sessions.  Many guest speakers are featured.  Watch the bulletin for the next one.

Bible Study-

     Tuesday morning’s woman’s study:  Meets on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 am in the Conference room.  Topics change regularly.  Please see the Bible study listing in the bulletin for current topics.

Women's Sunday Morning Bible Study:  From time to time a special Sunday morning Bible study for women has been conducted.  This Bible study meets during the Sunday morning Bible study time and can be led by one person, or the leadership can be shared.  This Bible study endeavors to discuss topics of special interest to women in order to encourage them in their faith life and in their daily walk with the Lord.

Other Bible studies have been discussed and can be developed.   Some of these are a Purdue Bible Study to take place at Purdue for women who are working there.  A brown bag daytime Bible study to be held at St. James or any other place for working women who would be able to meet over their lunch hour once a week, month or whatever they decided.

MOTHER TO MOTHER

A mother can always benefit from the knowledge of others and the fellowship of other women who have or are currently experiencing what she is going through.  The objective of this group is to continuously provide programs that support, educate and provide for the various needs of mothers.

Play Groups-

In an effort to encourage social interaction amongst mothers and young children, it is the goal for this group to establish play groups for moms and children of close age to meet on a regular basis and maintain existing play groups.

Mother Support-

There are many times in a mother’s life that would lend itself to needing time and assistance.  The goal for this group is to provide opportunities for mothers to network with other mothers, provide opportunities for mothers to spend a designated amount of time to herself, provide assistance to mothers who need to accomplish a variety of tasks, support for military families, etc.

Mother’s Seminar-

Every mother can benefit from learning how to best care for her child.  It is the goal of this group to provide learning opportunities for mothers at least once a year.

Mentors-

A wealth of knowledge can be found in an experienced mother.  The goal of this group is to match up new or needy mothers with more experienced mothers for communication, nurture and support.

New Mom Dinner/Gift-

Teams of 3 members plan, prepare and deliver a meal to a new mother and her family shortly after returning home from the hospital.  All women of the congregation are encouraged to join this caring ministry. 

Visitation-

Welcoming a new mother and her family is an important ministry for God’s people.  The goal for this group is to visit a new mother to provide help, communicate and encourage the family in Baptism and congregational participation.

Cradle Roll-

This is a mail program that sends out materials to newborns that help mothers begin the spiritual aspect of bringing up baby, for the first year of life.

FELLOWSHIP

From the beginning of creation God knew that it was not good for man to be alone, so he created Eve to be a helper and lifetime companion for Adam.  From that time on, God continues to encourage us to be in fellowship with Him and one another (Hebrews 10:25).  Women’s Ministry seeks to provide opportunities for women to continue meeting with one another in an effort to encourage, communicate and lift others up.

Kick Off Fair-

This is the kick-off event for Women’s Ministry during the year.  Come and get acquainted or re-acquainted with your neighbors and sisters in Christ.  This is an event that you won’t want to miss.

Christmas Dinner-

Mark your calendar, usually the first Monday evening in December.  This event is always well attended and an annual holiday tradition at St. James!  Dinner is catered and festive entertainment completes the evening.

Caring Baskets-

To support, lift up and to provide one on one contact with other women in the congregation.  Baskets are prepared and shared to promote a loving, caring and sharing attitude toward your sister in Christ.

SONshine Sisters-

The goal of the SONshine sisters is to keep one another in prayer throughout the year, to encourage, lifting up your SONshine sister in times of trouble, etc. 

     This is a program in which each participant has a “secret” sister that they pray for.  New sisters will be drawn and past ones revealed in the April meeting. 

Spring Event

This is the closing program for Women’s Ministry each year.  This event will mark the completion of a year in service, fellowship and Christian growth.  Following this event is a time for the women involved in Women’s Ministry to take a break and enjoy the summer months.  A variety of activities can be held for this event, some examples include: Mother-Daughter Tea, Fashion Show, etc.